Boys Soccer Season Recap

This year the Hillcrest boys soccer season was like no other. Not only did they dominate their conference, but they were great leaders on and off the field. Even though the boys ended in defeat, they had an extremely successful season, and grew closer as a team.

With a record of 16-1-1, the Comets dominated all of their opponents in the the regular season. Not only could they score goals, but their defense was phenomenal. They didn’t have a goal scored on them for the first eleven games, which is almost unheard of in high school soccer.

There were also state records the Comets broke this year. They had the best record in the state for the 2013 soccer season. They also broke an all time state record of fewest goals allowed in a single season, with six total goals allowed. Not only did they set the fewest goals against record, but they also set a record for the most goals scored. Needless to say the soccer team was exciting to watch.

Each year Hillcrest combines their soccer program with Pelican Rapids High School to form a soccer team for both the boys and the girls. Some of the best players come from Pelican Rapids, and of course there are a number of great Norwegian players on the soccer team.

The diversity in the soccer team creates different styles of play, joining styles from around the world. The team adapts to the styles as they play together throughout the year. This year the team did an excellent job getting to know each others strengths and weaknesses.

An interesting highlight to Hillcrest’s soccer program is the Pelican Rapids’ students on the soccer team. Hillcrest students get the chance to be a witness to their teammates from Pelican Rapids and show them what Hillcrest is all about. Great friendships are built between the Hillcrest and Pelican Rapids students, especially this past year.

The two captains from Hillcrest this year were Chris Pellegrino and Quincy Undseth. Quincy has played Hillcrest soccer since 7th grade, and Chris came as a Junior last season. The two captains were great leaders of the team. They set a good example on the field and in the hallways at school.

Quincy is a defensive player, while Chris is a forward who contributed to many of the goals scored this season. Chris set the all-time school record and the state record for the most goals scored in a single season. Chris scored 50 goals this year, and was also selected to the all-state team. He played in the all-state game in the Metrodome after the season ended. Chris said “The bus rides were definitely a lot of fun, cause we got to get to know each other as a team real well, while having some fun as well.”

After a phenomenal regular season, the Comet boys entered the playoffs with very high hopes for themselves. They won their first two games with ease, having the home field advantage. The third playoff game was against St. Cloud Apollo. After a hard fight the Comets suffered defeat for the first time in the season giving up two goals finishing the game with a score of 2-1.

It was a record breaking year, but more importantly Comet soccer represented Christ in the way that they played and conducted themselves on the field.

Most will remember the season as pure dominance. “It was a season with great memories. There was just a few small things that made the good season end.” Jongkyu Lee explained about this past season. The boys put on a great show, and caused lots of excitement from students, faculty, and parents. It was the best and most dominant soccer season Hillcrest has had.